Eels

Think of these as very “eel”-longated fish. The long, skinny shape of the eels allows them to navigate through tight spaces in search of hidden prey. They do not have the arrays of fins typical of most fish. Moray eels generally have only a single long fin running the length of their back. They also uniquely have a second set of jaws in the back of their throat. Morays hunt by traveling through cracks and crevices in the reef. Snake eels typically do not have any fins. They slither along the seabed like snakes. They often burrow into the sand, with only their snouts showing, lying in wait to ambush passing prey. Conger eels behave similarly to snake eels, but they differ by having small pectoral fins. There are about 900 species of eels, including 200 morays, 300 snake eels, and 200 congers.